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LOGAN -- In honor of Cache Valley's veterans, the USU Army/Air Force ROTC is hosting five activities in November for all community members, veterans and students to attend. Brad Bingham, a cadet in the Air Force program, has worked for more than one year with a committee of nine veterans, commanders and community members to put the week together. "All the cadets and committee members here are very excited about the entire week," Bingham said. "We have all worked very hard on this project in honor of the men and women who have served our country." The "USU/Cache Valley Veterans Week: Honoring Those That Serve" will take place Friday through Thursday, with free activities ranging from the Military Ball and memorial dedication to two concerts. Admission is free to all events; community members, especially veterans and Utah State students, are invited to attend. The highlight of the week, the Cache Valley Veteran's Memorial Dedication, takes place at 11 a.m. Tuesday. More than $30,000 from 37 major donors have been raised; one donor contributed $10,000 to the cause. Construction and landscape crews have been on site, at the south entrance to the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum, for more than two months laying the foundation, planting trees and erecting the 3,750 pound granite-wall monument. "The Army/Air Force ROTC expect the monument to be a place of national patriotism, reflection and peace," said Bingham, a senior history major from Fremont, Calif. "Veterans have given us so many freedoms that it is our patriotic duty to give something back to them." President Emeritus George Emert, former U.S. Rep. Jim Hansen and Provost Stan Albrecht will participate in the dedicatory ceremony with remarks and a traditional wreath-laying ceremony. A flyover by the U.S. Air Force will take place if weather permits. Also, five local veterans will be introduced: Blair Hale, Chase J. Nielsen, Dell Tripp, John Watterson and Antonio Garcia. They represent World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Persian Gulf Era. Standing 8 feet tall, the three-panel monument includes six 15-inch seals representing the armed forces, a mural depicting service men and women from eight decades of American conflicts and the quote, "Honoring and remembering all veterans of American wars for their loyalty, dedication, and courageous service beyond the call." Events are as follows: Friday: Voices of Cache Valley Veterans from 7 to 8:15 p.m. in the Logan Tabernacle -- listen to veterans speak about their time of service. Saturday: Military Ball from 8 to 11 p.m. in the TSC Ballroom at Utah State University. All veterans, community and university students are invited to attend. Dress is uniform/semi-formal. Tuesday: Memorial Dedication, 11 a.m., south side of Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. Wednesday: 23rd Army Band in Concert, with the Skyview and Mountain Crest High School choirs. From 7 to 9 p.m. in the USU Kent Concert Hall. Also, a representative will make a presentation to the ROTC from the Department of Defense. Thursday: Air Force Band of the Rockies, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Ellen Eccles Theater in downtown Logan. Call 753-6518 for free tickets and more information. For more information on these activities, call (435) 797-USAF, or visit the ASUSU Web-site. MS |
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